[kgr]

I was a bit surprised in other topic that for some pass was not forcing after bidding a vulnerable game and showing some force (...game not bid in a preemptive way).
My question:
- Do you have hard rules about forcing pass or is that more felt when pass is forcing or not?
- What rules do you have in you regular partnership that set a forcing pass (..to what level)?

[Cyberyeti]

We have the following FP rules.

Where we have claimed ownership of at least half the pack, all passes are forcing at 3N or higher.
Where we have committed to bidding to a particular level, passes below that level are forcing
When we double a 1N opener for penalties, we don't pass out 2m undoubled.

This means that 1♥-2N(raise to 3 or better) creates a forcing pass over everything other than 3♠ for example.

[dake50]

Thanks for a question that belongs in A & E.
I play a 1m forces system.
After 1m force pass on <2S, >3S, best guess between.
To 1M,1N,2m(natural),
I use transfers in competition (F1),
so rebid forces ON/OFF.
Lowest xfer is ON, highest xfer is ON
-- because they are defined strong.
Transfer Q-bid (xfer into their suit) is ON.
Transfer, then Q-bid is defined strong: ON.
Rest is best guess: OFF.

[whereagles]

I use Robson/Segal ones:

FP after:
- a cue that forces to the 4 level
- a fit-bid/FNJ/splinter at 'red' (V vs NV)
- any 'invite or better' bid and opps are at the 5 level

This is in case of our side having shown a fit. In case of misfit, there's FP in the usual situations where we are majoritary and opps entered the bidding.

[nigel_k]

General Rules

- In general, pass is forcing if we have bid game freely or forced to game based on general values.
- It is not forcing if our game bid is made under competitive pressure or may be a preemptive or ‘2 way’ bid
- It is not forcing if one hand has given up captaincy, eg by opening with a preempt or bidding Michaels or UNT.
- It is forcing if their bid is clearly a sacrifice. Whether it is clear will depend on the specific auction. If people pass and bid later in a situation where there is no risk of being passed out, it is not clearly a sacrifice.
- When in doubt pass is not forcing


Specific Situations

- A 2C opening creates a force
- A 2NT opening does not create a force
- A penalty double or penalty pass does not necessarily create a force (though the auction may be forcing for other reasons).
- A strength showing redouble above the one level does not necessarily create a force.

[MrAce]

If you are looking for some simpler rules that still make sense, try this: I copied and pasted from Eddy Kantar.

Your side is in a forcing pass auction whenever:

1) You have shown game-forcing values (i.e. after a GF raise, or a 2/1 GF) [or better, i.e. if someone has made a slam try]

2) After your side has issued and accepted a game invitation.

3) After your side has opened 2C (assuming 2C is your system's strong, artificial bid, even if it is not 100% GF)

4) If either partner introduces a new suit at the 4 level, which could have been shown at the 3 level (ex: 1H-(P)-2H-(3C)-4D sets up a forcing pass auction; 3D in the same situation is just a game try, and does not set up a forcing pass)

5) On the auction 1Y-(X)-XX, your side is forced to at least 2NT or suit agreement at the 3 level (a new suit introduced at the 3 level is forcing)

6) On the auction 1NT-(2Y)-X, where the double is played as penalty, your side is forced to at least 2NT or suit agreement (the opponents do not play undoubled)

7) When either of you has made a penalty double at the 3 level or higher, you are in a forcing pass auction at any level (this does not include lead directing doubles) - Note: this means you should never double the only contract you expect to beat


As a general corallary, if one of you could have cue bid, and instead leaps to game, you are NOT in a forcing pass auction. For example, if the auction goes 1S-(3H)-4S-(5H)-? opener must decide whether to double or bid on, or risk letting the contract be passed out. Responder had the opportunity to cue bid 4H, if s/he wished to set up a forcing pass auction.


As to what different actions mean in a forcing pass situation, I believe the following is the most common expert agreement, when both sides have a known fit:


Double shows the worst possible hand/holding for declaring. Depending on the situation, this can mean either that the doubler has a minimum hand for the preceding auction, or that the doubler lacks control in the enemy suit sufficient to bid on. The latter generally applies to decisions involving bidding to the 6 level or higher, and/or where strength has been narrowly defined.


A direct bid in the agreed trump suit shows extra length and/or confirms a control in the opponents' suit (at the slam level), but denies significant extra strength.

A direct bid in a new suit (below the slam level) is a mild slam try.

A pass, followed by a pull to the trump suit, is a strong slam try.

A pass, followed by a pull to a new suit is a grand slam try.

(The last wo sentences both assume that the passer's partner doubles, when referring to a "pull")


Any of the slam tries promise sufficient control in the opponent's suit to bid to the suggested level, unless partner has shown that control (i.e if my partner splintered in the suit, I don't need to have a control to suggest going on to the 6 level).


A hand without clear direction can simply pass and abide by partner's decision.

On auctions where their side has not established a fit (i.e. someone stuck their neck on the chopping block, solo), double simply shows a good defensive holding in their suit, bidding on shows shortness in their suit and/or unexpected shape on the side (perhaps a 5-5 hand, even with a doubleton in their suit). Passing denies either unusual length or extreme shortness in their suit, and agian you can use pass-and-pull, or pass and then take a move if partner bids, to show a good hand. Pass followed by sitting for partners action (or signing off, if appropriate) shows a non-descript minimum.


Similarly, on auctions where your side has not yet established a fit, such as redouble auctions, double shows length/strength in their suit, direct bids show extra shape without extra high card strength (including jumps, which show extra playing strength), and passing then pulling a double shows extra shape and strength.



Problems

The problem, of course, lies in the assumption stated in parentheses above. If the passer's partner doesn't double, the treatment unravels.

Let's look at a straightforward case: 1S-2D-4D(splinter)-5D-?

The old-fashioned treatment was: (a) 5H invites responder to bid the slam; ( pass (forcing), presumptively showing a "true" forcing pass (with which you will pass either partner's double or his 5H bid), can also be made on a hand with no slam interest which wants to play in 5H opposite any holding, in which case (b1) if partner doubles, you pull to 5H, or (b2) if partner bids 5H, you pass.

The modern treatment is: (a) 5H shows a desire to play 5H with no slam interest; ( Pass can [also, as above] be made on a hand which wants to give partner the choice of playing in 5H or 6H, in which case (b1) if partner doubles, you pull to 5H, showing a slam invitation, or (b2) if partner bids 5H, you get stuck without any way to invite slam and are forced to take a blind guess whether to pass or raise to 6H.

[Ant590]

My regular partner and I play that a forcing pass is in effect:

• When partner's last bid was a forcing pass and the opponents have not jumped
  
• When we are forced to a level, and they intervene below (but not at) this level
  
• If we have bid or forced to game on power
  
• When we have cooperated in doubling or redoubling for penalties
  
• By other agreement, including
  
  • (1NT*) – dbl – (<2NT) – * weak NT
    
  • (1NT*) – pass – (stayman/xfer) – dbl – * weak NT
    
  • 1x – (dbl) – rdbl – (pass or 1y) –
    
  • 1x – (2x*) – dbl – (bid) – * two suited
    
  • 1x – (2NT*) – dbl – (bid) – * two suited